Episode 226: Soil Bacteria & Rhizophagy

This week, I am delighted to welcome back champion of the soil food web, Jeff Lowenfels. Jeff is the author of the Teaming With series of books which look at what goes on at a micro level in the soil beneath our feet. His new title ‘Teaming with Bacteria’ lifts the lid on new findings about how plants use and interact with bacteria and he’s here to give us the lowdown on this amazing relationship. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Solitary Bees What We Talk About Rhizophagy Bacteria and endophytic bacteria How bacteria helps make healthy soil What bacteria does for plants and vice versa How plants attract bacteria How plants know when to stop letting in bacteria Can bacteria still exist happily in the soil without a plant? Bacteria and monocrops  Bacteria carried in seeds  Bacteria and hydroponics Simple and practical things we can do to help the plant/bacteria relationship Bacteria research and the future of gardening and plant growing About Jeff Lowefels Jeff Lowenfels is the author several of award-winning books on plants and soil, and he is the longest running garden columnist in North America. Lowenfels is a national lecturer as well as a fellow, hall of fame member, and former president of the Garden Writers of America. Links The Teaming with series, written by Jeff Lowenfels Teaming with Bacteria Teaming with Nutrients Teaming with Fungi  Teaming with Microbes Other episodes if you liked this one: Mycorrhizal Fungi with Jeff Lowenfels Mycorrhizal Fungi with Dr Petra Guy Patreon Membership